Holy Cross Grade School begins expansion

December 05, 2006|LISA KOCHANOWSKI Tribune Correspondent

Holy Cross Grade School in South Bend is getting a face-lift. After years of talking about it, the school finally broke ground for a 14,000-square-foot addition on the back side of the school building along with renovation of some 8,000 square feet of existing school space. Holy Cross Principal Angie Budzinski said the project will cost about $2.3 million. She said construction will include a high school-size gym, new school offices, a new kitchen, renovation of the auditorium to make a multipurpose room for little theater/cafeteria, a new library, new music room and an expanded art room and computer lab. Casteel Construction Corp. is doing the work, which is expected to take about nine months. Expansion plans have been discussed for decades. The Holy Cross School Strategic Plan of 2002 called for physical improvements to the school building and that need, coupled with a desire for a new gymnasium, brought about the Renaissance Campaign. "The effort began in fall 2003 with the formation of a development committee for Holy Cross School," said the Rev. Michael Mathews, CSC, the Holy Cross/St. Stanislaus pastor. He said the group spent the next year planning and in September 2004 the official "asking" portion of the Renaissance Campaign began. According to Mathews, the name Renaissance Campaign comes from the 14th century movement in Europe that sought to revive interest in academic learning and the arts. "Thus, the Renaissance Committee was formed to renew the parish commitment to Catholic education, strengthen Holy Cross School as an anchor institution for the Near Northwest neighborhood, and enhance a learning environment that emphasizes faith, service and diversity," said Mathews. Mathews and Budzinski say the project at the school at 1020 Wilber St. will benefit more than students. "We hope the impact will be wonderful for the neighborhood," Budzinski said. "Holy Cross has been an anchor to the neighborhood over the years. We wish to invest in this neighborhood and prove to all that this is indeed a wonderful place. We hope this will convince others to invest here as well." Mathews, too, sees the school as a crucial element of the neighborhood that includes homes in Muessel Park to Lincoln Way West. "Maintaining a viable presence in urban areas reflects the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a religious community dedicated to teaching the future of the church and the world," he said. Mathews said seeing the faith of so many dedicated men and women who agreed to support the project from the beginning has been overwhelming, including receiving a check for $278,000 from the estate of a deceased member of the parish and receiving a check for $100,000 from a current member of the parish who wishes to remain anonymous. Budzinski will never forget the students' reaction when they learned that their school will be expanding. "The most memorable moment for me was the cheer from the students when we announced that we were embarking on this journey to build onto the school," Budzinski said. "Father Mike planned a skit to introduce and announce this building campaign. Several teachers were involved along with the associate pastor and himself. He played a grumpy pastor who shot down the idea of his young associate to build a gym. He was visited by three angels who convinced him to allow the project. When he stated that we would indeed build a gym, the students erupted in a loud, sustaining cheer. "I will remember this forever."